Project
# | Title | Team Members | TA | Documents | Sponsor |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
3 | Automated Sound Panel Modification for Audio Lab |
Rajat Vora Rishi Dutt Kalluri Zach Bryl |
Shaoyu Meng | design_document1.pdf final_paper1.pdf proposal1.pdf |
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# Problem The Illinois Augmented Listening Laboratory is currently planning on building a fully automated audio lab. This lab could autonomously reorganize the lab space (speakers, mics, etc.) and modify the room acoustics to run different experiments, via a remotely submitted configuration. The acoustics of the room are controlled by sound panels, which absorb sound and are set to bounce sound around the room in different ways. Currently, there isn’t a way to adjust these panels autonomously. While mics and speakers can move around on pulleys, sound paneling is wall mounted and isn’t possible to adjust in the same way. Note: Acoustic sound panels are wall mounted panels, typically made of soft foam or composite material. The panels typically have triangular pyramids, pointing in the direction of incoming sound. The panels work by receiving incoming sound, and trapping the sound between these pyramids. The sounds bounces around between the pyramids until it dissipates, and never gets reflected back into the room. # Solution Overview Our solution for modifying these acoustic panels is to allow each sound panel to be independently enabled/disabled. We plan to control this with a shutter over each panel, where every panel’s shutter can be modified through a single interface. Controlling the panels is equivalent to allowing sound to come in contact with them. If the shutter is closed, sound wont reach the panels and will bounce off, like a wall. However, when open, sound can reach the panel and will be absorbed. # Solution Components ## Shutter Subsystem -Can be quickly opened or closed depending on interface control -No sound is allowed to reach the panel when closed -Should not reflect any sound waves back when opened -Should close flat to mimic a wall -Can be motorized or pneumatic ## Interface Subsystem -Connects to all the panel shutters -Allows for submission of a configuration file to configure all the panel shutters in parallel -Able to connect to the internet for remotely submitted configurations # Criterion for success Our solution will be successful if it significantly changes the acoustics of the room, as measured by e.g. the T60 reverberation time or C50 direct-to-reverberant ratio, and is remotely controllable with little or no human intervention. The interface should be able to accept locally or remotely submitted configurations. |